New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-03
SUNDAY EDITION.
APRIL 3, 1887.
THE SOUTH ASKS RELIEF.
BEFORE THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION,
COMMITTEE OF COMMERCIAL MEN WANT Tenn
PoRARY EXEMPTION FROM THE LAW.

pORARY EXEMPTION FROM IHE LAW
CBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, April 1.-The Interstate Commission
was kept pretty busy to-day. To a friend Commits
soner Bragg said "Yes are hard at il hard at
it, II is noted that the first cry for relief from the
stringent provisions of the law come, from the South
which virtually solid for the still strin-
gent provisions of the Reagan BILL The representa-
tons made by the committee of the Atlanta Chamber
of Commerce and the representatives of the Southern
Railway and Steamship Association to-day were
strong. The former came not TO speak so much in
behalf of the railroads. which take of them
selves for the manufacturers. merchants, mechan-
les planters and other consumers The Atlanta
committee consisted CT ex-governor Bullock, Dr. X.
d. Spauding and S. +. WOodson who had been
appointed to cooperate with the Railway and
Steamship Association in SEEKING sucn liberal
Interpretation modification of the operation OF the
Interstate Commerce act may be deemed necessary
for the rejection of the manufacturing and CONNER
cial interests of this and other Southern societies
Governor Bullock as chairman of the committee,
read paper which in substance sets forth that the
territory covered by the operations of the Southern
Railway and Steamship Company is comparatively
Iarsey populated ana that the trade centres or dis
tributive cities within that territory are widely
separated, therefore, that rule which would apply
to lines running through more th.ckly populated
sections would be disastrous to it, The territory Of
the association is south OF the Potomac and Ohio
Rivers and east of the Mississippi and the raes now
in force represent the result OF ten years OF expert
ment modified and to some extent regulated by the
authority aud acts OF State Railroad Commissions.
The in force acceptable 10 the shippers
generally and under them trade has been established,
large interests developed. and the sale OF COM
modes generally regulated. sudden change
would seriously injure many interests and would ac-
tuaiy paaiyZe others. The dOcunent sets forth that
the railway managers fear that under tile operations
of the Interstate act they may forced to largely
increase their through rates on April ,. That would
destroy the entire system OF rates on which the
Southern manufacturing industries have been ionded
and now successfully operating. Wholesale
dealers have established their prices upon the basis of
these rates and q sudden increase would upset and
demoralze all branches OF trade. Therefore the COM
mittee appeals ID the Commission to issue order
or before April 3, to the effect that the schedule OF
rates existing in the territory south OF the Potomac
and Ohio, and east OF the Mississippi rivers tar as
relate to Interstate Commerce be declared
in force and continue until the further order OF The
Board and that reasonable time be given Tor
further hearing and revision before aay changes shall
be put III force.
mIted schedule OF the existing rates OF the Southern
Association and "A schedule OF the Rates they would
be ncre ased under the associations Interpretation of
the act TO show how disastrous such sudden
increase wo.ld be TO business OF all kinds. This
schedule showed that unless the Con mission inter-
Doses rates from New York to Atlanta. Monte omery
and other points in Georgia and Alabama will be in
creased from 81 II per hundred, to 81 fl AMI that
rates to other Southern places will be poportionatey
increased. The Atlanta committee had come with
the idea that the Conmsslon would Immediately
take up questions involving constructions OF the Inter-
state act They were informed that the Board could
legally pass upon such questions until alter April
]. but that 1t could hear arguments consider then,
and announce decisions later. 1t Was IN this way
that the case was presented today and 1t was ar
ranged to hear VI. H. Smith. president OF the Louis
vile and Nashville Railroad and James X Ogden,
Commissioner OF the Southern Associated Railroads,
this afternoon. They called attention 10 the c)mpeti-
ton between the rail ard water routes and stated that
under the general Interpretation OF the Interstate
commerce act the railroad lines north OF the OHIO
River retus" after April D, 10 continue existing
90
did the Atlanta committee TO nterPosc its authority
TO suspend the long and short haul clause OF the act
and to modify the Law TO permit existing rates 10
stand
At 3 o'clock this afternoon hearing was given 70
Association. They fifteen or twenty IN number;
Milton II. smith; vicepresiient Of the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad. selected the spokesman OF the
delegation aud addressed the commission lie SAID
OF the North that from and after April all existing
traffic arrangements must Ihis was due, ne ex-
pained To a difference in the Interpretation OF the law
These roads based their action upon tie refusal OF to
Louisville and Nashville to reduce its local rates below
participants in any penalties Incurred BY the former.
Mr. Smith set forth az considerable length tie cream
stances which led the Northern frank lines TO MAKE such
construction Of the law They were not subject - sleh
extent 10 water competition ana their Interpretation
was the only one mat was advanaseous 10 tnem Ihey
would appear before tho Commission and advocate an
Interpretation which would "bencht them, but bank
Mr Smith dill not believe there any reason for the
present a-taton surely carriers were ot 10 De punished
for violation OF Law which they could not understand
clear now that the commission should nave been
ced them earlier If the anticipated changes were en-
forced az once commercial distress would at least be
threatened
General Alexander. president of the Central Georgia
road forth the which lei his line 10 give lower
rates Newlork 10 Macon and Montgomery than 10
Mobile and NewOrleans The latter nt were reached
by competitors who entirely independent o, the
Commission. II compelled 20 reduce intermediate rates
below the aLwater rates 10 New-Orleans his company
would dollars local trac for every three dol
! ara gained In through ira HE.
Edgar VI. johnson, general counsel for the East Tennes
see Virginia and Georgia Railroad, said ii was evident
North and South end April ., since the Northern
roads would not rl.k the penalties which might he IN
CURED by following any other than their own inerprc
ton of the law. 49,
Henry link vice president Of the East Tennessee Wiz
Cna and road said the rigid construction o! the
long ana short haul provision bankruptcy What
kind schedules the roads Ia file between now AID
9TH Apri II they put up the through rates 10
leue with local they would lose their trtic. and
that meant bankruptcy II they put down local rates
they could never get them back, ana thar, too ant
The Commission adjourned M =. III.